View Vacancy - Transport and Infrastructure Policy Advisor

The British Embassy in Washington, DC is seeking a dynamic Policy Advisor to join the Transport Policy team within the Global and Economic Policy Group (GEPG).  Reporting to the First Secretary for Transportation Policy, the jobholder will be required to support engagement with US and UK regulatory authorities, Federal/State/Local Government officials, private sector, international representative bodies, and leading analysts in the field.

The jobholder needs to be able to serve as a liaison between British and American audiences on all matters of transportation and infrastructure policy; including economic, social, and political impact.   Jobholder will also be expected to be able to brief senior HMG officials, as well as maintain a day-to-day knowledge of policy matters.

The jobholder will not just observe policy, but is expected to foster working relationships to help the UK government make a positive influence and increase collaboration between the US and the UK.  Jobholder needs to have an eye for details, while also maintaining an overarching and long-term understanding of many complex policy issues.

Jobholder will work with and across many teams within the British diplomatic network, including other policy areas (Economics, Trade, Energy, and Innovation) and other government departments such as UK Trade & Investment. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze and report to the UK on US transportation issues; including maritime, land transport and aviation.
• Serve as lead policy advisor on US infrastructure, and support on UK commercial efforts around Public-Private- Partnerships (P3).
• Advocate British interests with a range of key US interlocutors and proactively engage and influence on UK priorities and promote UK policy and/or commercial interests.  Develop and maintain high-level contacts within government, industry, and the NGO community.
• Take responsibility for structuring and delivering visits to the US by UK Ministers and senior officials, and deliver projects and events on transportation and infrastructure priorities.
• Work with British Consulates across the US, as well as with UK Trade and Investment and the UK’s Science and Innovation Network, to deliver UK policy and prosperity objectives on specific focus sectors such as: P3, Commercial Spaceflight, Autonomous & Connected Vehicles and Unmanned Aviation Systems (UAS).
• Contribute proactively to policy discussions across the US Network and provide high quality analysis and input to requests for advice.
• Serve as secretary for multi-Embassy Maritime Attaché group which meets monthly.
• Support Embassy consular staff in event of large scale disaster, crisis, or other emergency affecting British nationals.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree required.  Economics, policy, or business preferred.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the US.
• A strong background in key transportation and infrastructure sectors is essential.  Knowledge of or experience with these issues at a Federal and state level is also desirable.
• Must be able to represent the UK at external meetings and build a strong positive network US and UK officials and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, flexibility in a team setting, ability to work independently and an enthusiastic approach are essential.  Project management experience is a plus.
• Clear and concise oral and written skills are essential, and ability to explain complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of UK policy strengths and priorities a plus.
• Willingness to travel both domestically and to the UK when needed.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy and Consulates. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas